'Green' status on the Ehteraz application is good enough for people from Kerala to return to the southern Indian state from Qatar and they do not have to undergo any Covid-19 test for entry, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said.

According to an IANS report, Vijayan Wednesday said members of the Kerala diaspora who wish to travel to the state either on Vande Bharat Mission or chartered flights will have to undergo a Covid-19 test.

"We have been saying this for long to the Centre and it's their responsibility to see that adequate testing arrangements are made through the Indian embassies in various countries. We do not want anyone who does not have this disease to get it and hence all those coming to Kerala from abroad have to undergo a Covid test before they start their travel," said Vijayan.

Pinarayi Vijayan, Kerala Chief Minister, said in a press conference that the Indian Ambassador from Qatar P Kumaran send a letter explaining the procedures in Qatar and the Ehteraz app.

Qatar Director for Department of Non Resident Keralites Affairs CV Rappai said the green status on Ehteraz app would be considered an authentic medical document to travel to Kerala.

It is not clear yet if the Indian central government has accepted the Kerala government’s request to test all passengers for Covid-19.

As of June 16, 34 repatriation flights have left Qatar under the Vande Bharat Mission to various parts of India, bringing the total repatriated Indians to 5,792 adults and 170 infants. Around 5,000 more people left for India in about 27 private chartered flights.